Reusable laparoscopic retrieval mechanism

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of a reusable surgical device for retrieving a mass during laparoscopic surgery are shown and described. The surgical device has a wand, a rod attached to the wand near the front by a disengaging connector and extending generally parallel to the wand, and a pouch or bag attached to the wand and rod. A portion of the rod is flexible for bowing out from the wand when the rod is pushed forward. The flexible portion straightens to come close to the wand when the rod is pulled backward. The back of the rod may be slidably connected to the wand. A bag suitable for sterilizing may be attached to the rod and wand for receiving a mass during surgery. When the rod bows out, the bag is opened. When the rod straightens, the bag is closed to form a seal. Methods of using the surgical device include attaching a bag, engaging the disengaging connector, and inserting the device through a laparoscopic sleeve for enclosure, manipulation, and retrieval of the mass. Further steps include, removing the surgical device from the body cavity, disengaging the disengaging connector, removing the bag, disposing of the mass, and sterilizing the rod, wand and/or bag. Alternatively, the wand and rod may each be comprised of two individual coaxial sections, with each section being arranged for disengagable, end-to-end attachment with one another.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S.Continuation-in-Part patent application Ser. No. 09/461,317 filed onDec. 15, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,102 B1, which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/197,045,filed Nov. 20, 1998, for Reusable Laparoscopic Retrieval Mechanism andMethod for Use, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,793. These applications are notabandoned and are commonly owned by the assignee hereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to internal surgery and, morespecifically, to a reusable surgical device and methods for accessingand retrieving tissue or other mass from a body cavity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, the applications for laparoscopic surgery have expandedto include many different procedures. A benefit of laparoscopicoperations is the relatively quick recovery period experienced bypatients, due to the small incisions that are made in the body. Theseincisions reduce the trauma and the required healing compared totraditional surgery. Laparoscopic tubes and sleeves with diameters onthe order of 10 millimeters are inserted in the body cavity. Variousinstruments and a video camera are typically directed throughlaparoscopic sleeves for performing and monitoring the surgical steps.

A particular concern in laparoscopic surgery is the transporting oftissues and other masses that are cut away or retrieved during asurgery. While moving, manipulating, or cutting up a removed mass withinthe body cavity, pieces of infected or cancerous mass, blood, bile, andother liquids may escape into the body cavity and pose infectionproblems or other complications. It is desirable to contain thesematerials in a bag or similar enclosure within the body cavity beforeremoval to minimize the risk of infection or other complications. It isimportant that the containment of the materials be accomplished asquickly as possible with minimal disturbance to the surgical site.

Instruments with membranes or bags have been designed in an attempt toavoid the complications associated with the removal of tissue duringlaparoscopic surgery. These devices typically fall into two categories,those that have a bag coiled around an introducing rod that must beunfurled by various maneuvers, and those that pop open a bag using aspring, wire, or other mechanism. A device that falls into the secondcategory is a pouch disclosed in Pagedas (U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,597),which utilizes a flexible rod slidably connected to a wand to create areclosable pouch. When the rod bows out, the bag is opened. When the rodstraightens, the bag is closed to form a seal.

However, the specimen retrieval instruments that are currently on themarket, especially the more practical devices, are designed for a singleuse. Not only does this create a disposal problem, but disposableinstruments are not always cost effective. In this era of costcontainment, the need often arises for reusable instruments, especiallya laparoscopic retrieval pouch that can be sterilized and reused. Asecond failing of the current specimen retrieval instruments is thatthey are limited as to the specimen size that can be safely retrieved. Areusable instrument that can employ different size bags and allow rapidremoval and replacement of a retrieval pouch would increase surgicalefficiency. A third shortcoming of disposable specimen retrievalinstruments is that specimen bags are often ruptured by morcelatinginstruments or pressure distention against the base of the retrievalbag. A reusable device warrants the additional cost of heavier gaugematerials that can withstand the burden of a larger mass, the rigors ofmorcelation, and the stress of sterilization.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,597 (Pagedas) is incorporated herein by reference.Although Pagedas (U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,597) alludes to an option whereone may slip a sleeve styled bag onto its device, no specific embodimentis given. Moreover, no mention is made of a reusable bag that may besterilized.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a reusable surgicaldevice, and a method of using such a device, that allows efficientaccess and retrieval of tissue or other mass from a body cavity.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, the foregoing and following objectsand advantages are achieved by providing a reusable surgical device forsafely manipulating and retrieving tissue from a body cavity inoperations such as laparascopic surgery, and also a method for using thesurgical device. A surgical device having features of the presentinvention comprises an elongated wand having a front end and a back end,a rod having a flexible portion and a handle portion, and a removablebag. The flexible portion includes a second end attached to the handleportion, and a pivot end near the front end of the wand by a disengagingconnector. The handle portion of the rod and the back end of the wandare close to each other so that they can be manipulated from outside abody cavity. Preferably the bag for enclosing and retrieving materialduring surgery is coupled to the front of the wand and the flexibleportion of the rod. The bag may be opened by pushing the rod forwardrelative to the wand to bow out the flexible portion and may be closedby pulling the rod backward relative to the wand to straighten theflexible portion.

Another object is to provide a surgical device that may be accuratelymanipulated and controlled with one hand.

Another object is to provide a surgical device that has an adjustableopening that seals when closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical device that maybe sterilized and reused. The reusable portions that can be sterilizedmay include the wand, the rod, and/or the bag.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical device thatincludes a lock that may be engaged so that a surgeon does not have tohold the device at the desired bag position. Bag positions may include adegree of openness ranging from completely closed to wide open,depending on the extent to which the flexible portion of the rod isbowed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical device thatincludes a thumb grip to facilitate moving the rod.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surgical device with apre-loaded cartridge for containing a rolled bag and having means forreleasable engagement with an adjustable handpiece.

Methods of using the surgical device comprise the steps of attaching abag to the front end of the wand and flexible portion of the rod,engaging the disengaging connector, directing the device into a bodycavity, opening the bag by pushing the rod forward to cause the flexibleportion to bow out, receiving a mass from the body cavity into the bag,and closing the bag by pulling the rod backwards to cause the flexibleportion to straighten and form a seal against the wand. Additional stepsmay include morcelating the removed mass, removing the surgical devicefrom the body cavity, disengaging the disengaging connector, removingthe bag, disposing of the removed mass, and sterilizing the wand, rodand/or bag for reuse.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an economical means forachieving greater efficiency, control and safety in containing materialswithin, and removing materials from, a body cavity during laparoscopicsurgery.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription. Other objects, advantages and novel features of theinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. As will berealized, the invention is capable of other and different embodimentsand use in other applications, and its several details are capable ofmodification in various obvious respects, all without departing from theinvention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regardedas illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the surgical deviceshowing the bag removed from the wand and rod.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the surgical devicedepicting the bag being attached to the wand and rod.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the surgical deviceshowing the bag attached to the wand and rod.

FIG. 3A shows how one embodiment of the disengaging connector isengaged.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the surgical deviceshowing the bag in an opened position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the surgical deviceshowing the bag in a closed position.

FIG. 5A shows how one embodiment of the disengaging connector isdisengaged.

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of one embodiment of theinvention in a closed position and including an adjustable connector.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the back end ofthe wand and the handle portion of the rod, taken along line 7—7 in FIG.6.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the back end ofthe wand and the handle of the rod, taken along line 7—7 in FIG. 6,illustrating a dovetail-shaped channel system.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the front end of the wand and theflexible portion of the rod, taken along line 8—8 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention with abag attached and in the open position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the back end ofthe wand and the handle portion of the rod, taken along line 10—10 inFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a view of one embodiment of the surgical device directedthrough a laparoscopic sleeve into a body cavity and opened for use inlaparoscopic surgery.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of thesurgical device and showing a longitudinally extending collar havingadjustable locking means.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thesurgical device showing the bag in opened position.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of thesurgical device having a longitudinally extending collar, and showing apartially cut-away, pre-loaded, snap-on cartridge in position to beattached to the device.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the alternative embodiment of thesurgical device of FIG. 14, and showing a pre-loaded, snap-on cartridgeattached to the device.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of thesurgical device seen in FIG. 14 and showing a pre-loaded, snap-oncartridge attached to the device with the cartridge being inserted in anabdominal port.

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of thesurgical device seen in FIG. 14 and showing the bag extending through anabdominal port and in the furled position.

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of thesurgical device seen in FIG. 14 and showing the bag extending through anabdominal port and in an unfurled position.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of thesurgical device seen in FIG. 14 and showing the bag extending through anabdominal port and in an unfurled and open position.

FIG. 20 is a side view with partially cut away cartridge of the deviceseen in FIG. 14 and showing the handpiece and pre-loaded cartridge inposition for connection.

FIG. 21 is a side view with partially cut away cartridge of the deviceseen in FIG. 14 and showing the handpiece and pre-loaded cartridgereleasably coupled.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary view of the device seen in FIG. 14 and showingthe handpiece connector ball and cartridge socket prior to connection.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary view of the device seen in FIG. 14 and showingthe handpiece connector ball and cartridge socket during the connectionprocess.

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary view of the device seen in FIG. 14 and showingthe handpiece connector ball and cartridge socket in a connectedposition.

FIG. 25 is a view of the alternative embodiment surgical device of FIGS.14-24 showing the device directed through a laparoscopic sleeve, into abody cavity, and opened for use in laparoscopic surgery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodimentsherein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied inother specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has beendescribed, the details may be changed without departing from theinvention, which is defined by the claims.

As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the surgical device 11includes an elongated wand 12 with a front end 14 and a back end 16. Thewand front end 14 and back end 16 serve as reference points for thisdiscussion, so that “forward” and “front” refer to those movements orlocations toward the front end 14 and “backward” and “back” refer tothose movements toward the back end 16. The surgical device 11 furtherincludes an elongated rod 18 that has a handle portion 24 connected to aflexible portion 22. The handle portion 24 lies close and generallyparallel to the wand 12 and may be coupled to the wand 12 in somefashion. The flexible portion 22 includes a pivot end 20 and a secondend 21. The second end 21 of the flexible portion 22 is connected to thehandle portion 24, and the pivot end 20 is coupled to the wand's frontend 14 using a disengaging connector 80. The surgical device furthercomprises a removable bag 50 that may be sterilized and reused.

In the preferred embodiment a slot system serves as a connector forholding the handle portion 24 close to the back end 16 of the wand andto set the transition point 26 where the flexible portion 22 transitionsfrom lying close to the wand 12 to bowing out from the wand 12. Thistransition point 26 may be anywhere on the flexible portion 22 betweenthe pivot end 20 and the second end 21. However, designing a surgicaldevice 11 with the transition point 26 very close to the pivot end 20would give little longitudinal distance in which the flexible portioncould bow. Therefore, the connector preferably extends forward to aboutthe middle of the flexible portion 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, the slot system includes a channel 28 and a lip 32.The channel 28 extends along the longitudinal axis of the wand 12 fromthe back end 16 and forward preferably to the corresponding location ofthe rod's pivot end 20. The rod 18 is received in the channel 28. Thelip 32 extends partially over the channel 28 for slidably holding therod 18 in the channel 28 forward up to the location of the frontextremity 30. At the front extremity 30, the rod 18 may come out of thechannel system as illustrated in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the channel 28 preferably extends all the way to thelocation where the pivot end 20 attaches to the front end 14, so thatwhen the flexible portion 22 straightens, it may be received in thechannel 28 to form a seal 34 (FIG. 5) between the front end 14 and theflexible portion 22, or between the first portion 160 and the secondportion 162 of the bag 50. Other designs may be used to allow the frontend 14 and the flexible portion 22 to cooperate to form a seal 34, suchas the embodiment in FIGS. 9 and 10 in which the front end 14 andflexible portion 22 inner surfaces 40, 42 are flat.

To bow out the flexible portion 22, the surgeon pushes the handleportion 24 forward, preferably using a thumb grip 44 or some other meansthat aids comfortable operation. Because it is anchored at the pivot end20, the rod 18 responds to being pushed by bowing out. To straighten theflexible portion 22 and the bring it closer to the wand 12, the surgeonpulls the handle 24 backwards. Alternatively, the flexible portion 22may be biased in the closed or unbowed position by allowing the flexibleportion 22 to spring back to the unbowed position when pressure on thethumb grip 44 is released.

Regarding the flexibility of the wand 12, there are several options. Thewand front end 14 may be rigid in some embodiments and somewhat flexiblein other embodiments. For example, the front end 14 may be somewhatflexible for operations in which the surgeon needs to temporarily bendthe wand to reach a particular location in the body cavity 70 at aparticular angle. However, the wand 12 should be less flexible than theflexible portion 22 of the rod 18, so that the flexible portion 22 bowsout from the wand 12 when the handle portion 24 is pushed, rather thanthe flexible portion 22 and the wand front end 14 bending together inthe same direction and thus producing either no opening of the bag 50 ora partial and difficult-to-control opening.

Regarding the flexibility of the rod 18, there are also several options.The flexible portion 22 should be of a flexibility in the outwarddirection that causes it to bow out relative to the wand 12 when it ispushed. The rod 18 may have a rigid handle portion 24 which may be heldclose to the wand 12 either by the hand of the person using it or by thelaparoscopic sleeve 64. The rod 18 may also be flexible back to andincluding the handle portion 24, as long as a connector is included tohold and guide the handle portion 24 when it is being pushed and as longas the handle portion 24 flexibility is limited to a range which doesnot cause buckling and binding of the rod 18 inside the connector. Inother words, the rod 18 may have a flexible portion 22 near the pivotend 20 and a relatively rigid handle portion 24, or may be a flexiblerod with a flexible portion 22 and a flexible handle portion 24 whichcooperates with a connector that holds and guides the handle portion 24.

Optionally, embodiments with a rigid handle portion 24 may also includea connector, such as the collar 66 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, foradditional guiding of the handle portion 24. FIG. 1 shows an example ofthe optional adjustable feature for a connector, the adjustable featurebeing for changing the longitudinal location of the connector frontextremity 30 to change the rod transition point 26. The collar 66 may bemoved forward or backward to select a transition point 26 and then maybe locked into place, for example with a set screw (not shown), in sucha way that the rod 18 may still slide through the collar. An adjustableconnector such as the collar 66 may also be added to embodiments havinga slot system, as shown in FIG. 6.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, an improved embodiment of theinvention is depicted. The improvement includes a longitudinallyextending collar 66 a as illustrated. The collar 66 a has a slot 68substantially coextensive of its length and surrounds both the wand 12and the rod 18 illustrated in previous figures. The collar 66 a may bemoved forward or backward to select a transition point 26 a and may belocked into place, for example, with a setscrew 60. A thumb loop 74 mayalso be provided for ease in positioning. With an adjustable connector,a surgeon may use a wand 12 and rod 18 with differently-sized bags orbags with differently-shaped entryways.

The preferred materials for the wand 12 and rod 18 are any materialsthat fulfill the various flexibility and rigidity requirements whilealso being safe for sterilization and internal surgery use. Surgicalsteel could be machined to meet those needs.

In the preferred embodiment, the pivot end 20 of the flexible portion 22is attached to the front end 14 of the wand 12 by a disengagingconnector 80. Preferably, the disengaging connector 80 comprises thefront end 14 of the wand having a longitudinal slot 82 forming a firstprong 84 and a second prong 86. A first notch 94 is formed in the firstprong 84, and a second notch 96 is formed in the second prong 86. Theflexible portion 22 of the rod 18 includes a first perpendicular spur 90and an opposing second perpendicular spur 92. As shown in FIG. 3, toengage the disengaging connector 80, the first and second spurs 90, 92are pressed into the first and second notches 94, 96 respectively. Asthe handle portion 24 is pushed forward, preferably using a thumb grip44, and the flexible portion 22 bows out, spurs 90 and 92 rotate innotches 94 and 96, respectively, creating a hinge action. To disengagethe connector 80, one pops out the spurs 90, 92 from the notches 94, 96by applying pressure to the underside 88 of the connector 80 as shown inFIG. 5A.

Although the preferred embodiment includes a disengaging connector 80with a hinge action, any connector may be used to connect the front end14 to the pivot end 20 so long as the disengaging connector 80 will notdisengage under the stress necessary to bow out the flexible portion 22,yet may be efficiently disengaged to remove the bag 50 for disposal orsterilization. Other such connectors may include a snap, a slot andgroove arrangement, other notch and spur configurations, or othercomparable cooperating systems.

The preferred embodiment includes a bag 50 for enclosing a mass 52,which may be opened and closed by bowing and straightening action of theflexible portion 22. The bag 50 has a wall 54 for surrounding aninterior space 56, and an edge 38 that surrounds the entryway 58. Thebag 50 can be disposable or reusable. The preferred materials for thebag 50 should also meet sterility and safety requirements for internalsurgery. Transparent plastics, flexible fabrics, and netting could beused. The preferred materials have some memory for tending to stay in asomewhat expanded state rather than tending to collapse, because thisfeature aids in the quick opening or unwrapping of the bag 50. Thepreferred materials are impermeable to liquid or are liquid-resistant,for containing infected liquids, but netting or loosely-woven materialscould also be of benefit for some surgical procedures. Where morcelatingis necessary, a bag 50 may include a fine denier brand fiber that ispuncture resistant and able to withstand the cutting of a mass.

In one embodiment having a detachable bag 50, the bag 50 includes asleeved rim 152 with at least one opening 154. In the preferredembodiment, the bag 50 includes a sleeved rim 152 divided into a firstpart 160 and a second part 162, each part having a first opening 164 anda second opening 166. The first part 160 and second part 162 are dividedby an unsupported section 62. The unsupported section 62 allows theflexible portion 22 to slide forward without tearing the bag 50 and toslide backward without pulling the bag 50 underneath the lip 32. Asshown in FIG. 2, to attach the bag 50, one slips the flexible portion 22into the first opening 164 of the first part 160 of the sleeved rim 152,and slips the front end 14 of the wand 12 into the first opening 164 ofthe second part 162 of the sleeved rim 152. The flexible portion 22 andthe front end 14 of the wand 12 slip through the sleeved rim 152 and outthe second opening 166 of the sleeved rim 152 at which time thedisengaging connector 80 is engaged as shown in FIG. 3 by applyingpressure to the underside 88 and topside 89 of the connector 80.

The method of using the surgical device 11 includes attaching a bag 50to the front end 14 of the wand 12 and the flexible portion 22 of therod 18, and directing the surgical device 11 into a body cavity 70,preferably through a laparoscopic sleeve 64, so that the back end 16 andhandle portion 24 are accessible by the surgeon. As shown in FIG. 4, thebag 50 is opened by pushing the handle portion 24 forward, preferablyusing a thumb grip 44. The bag 50 is directed relative to the mass 52 sothat the mass 52 moves through the entryway 58 into the interior space56 of the bag 50. This may be done by moving the bag 50 to the mass 52and scooping it up or by inserting the mass 52 into the bag 50 withanother tool 72. The bag 50 may be closed for further manipulation ofthe mass 52 or for removal of the surgical device 11 and mass 52 fromthe body cavity 70. To facilitate removal from the laparoscopic sleeve64, the bag 50 may be wrapped around the front 14 flexible portion 22 toform a compact and smooth unit. Optionally, a grinding, cutting, orother surgical tool 72 may be inserted into the interior space 56 of thebag 50 for further manipulation of the mass 52, for example, to cut alarge mass into pieces that will fit through the laparoscopic sleeve 64.The surgical tool 72 may be inserted before the bag 50 is closed, orafter the bag 50 is closed if the flexible portion 22, front end 14, orbag 50 is adapted to allow a surgical tool 72 to pass through the seal34. Preferably, the flexible portion 22, front end 14, or bag 50 wouldalso be adapted to maintain a good seal around the inserted surgicaltool 72 to prevent escape of mass and liquid. Optionally, a surgicaltool 72 could be inserted into the body cavity 70 through the samelaparoscopic sleeve 64 as the surgical device 11, or through a hollowpassage in the wand 12.

Another alternative embodiment surgical device 11 may be viewed in FIGS.14-25, inclusive. For convenience, the surgical device 11 seen in FIGS.14-25 has been separated into its two main components, a pre-loadedcartridge member 11 a and handpiece 11 b. It is further noted that likeelements are referenced by like numerals throughout this disclosure. Asseen in FIG. 14, the cartridge member 11 a is preferably pre-loaded witha bag 50, which is furled about the front end 14 of wand 12 and theflexible portion 22 of rod 18. The wand 12 and rod 18 each include anattachment end, which is modified to provide means for coupling to thecooperating attachment means of wand 12 and rod 18 in the handpiece 11b. As seen particularly in the views of FIGS. 14, 17, 20-25 the meansfor coupling located at the attachment ends of the wand 12 and rod 18located in cartridge 11 a, is illustrated as cup-like sockets 220.Cooperating ball members 230 are located at the attachment ends of thewand 12 and elongated rod 18 in the handpiece 11 b. The socket 220includes a socket opening smaller than the corresponding ball 230dimension to provide a snap fit. In the preferred embodiment, and asseen in these views, the ball members 230 are preferably mounted on theattachment ends of the wand 12 and the elongated rod 18 in the handpiece11 b, while the sockets 220 are located on the attachment ends of thewand 12 and rod 18 located in the cartridge 11 a. This arrangement ispreferred due to the greater resilience of the ball members 230 to wearduring cleaning for reuse. The ball members 230 are less likely to wearor crack during repeated use, and are therefore better suited forposition in the reusable handpiece 11 b. It is presently believedpreferable that the cup-like sockets 220 be positioned on the disposablecartridge 11 a thereby eliminating the need for cleaning and reuse ofthe more fragile sockets 220 as the cartridge 11 a is preferably adisposable item. Although it is preferable that the ball members 230 andthe sockets be located on the handpiece 11 b and cartridge 11 a,respectively, it is to be understood that an alternative arrangementwherein the ball members 230 and the sockets 220 are located on thecartridge 11 a and the handpiece 11 b respectively, is within the scopeof this disclosure.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 22-24, the ball 230 and socket 220arrangement allows the cartridge member 11 a and handpiece 11 b to besecurely coupled during laparoscopic procedure (as seen in FIG. 25) butallow for disengagement if a differently sized bag 50 is needed duringsurgery, if the bag 50 being used is full, or after completion ofsurgery. This feature allows the medical technician the flexibility ofdiscarding the cartridge member 11 a after use or cleaning and reusingthe entire device 11. While the ball 230 and socket 220 arrangement isthe preferred attachment configuration, it is to be understood thatother configurations having snap-fit connection may be contemplated.

With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, it can be seen that, duringoperation, the surgical device 11 with its pre-loaded cartridge 11 a isinserted into a laparoscopic port 64, wherein the cartridge 11 a travelsinto the body cavity 70 (seen in FIG. 25). As seen particularly in FIG.17, the cartridge 11 a with pre-loaded bag 50 is pushed through the port64 until it reaches narrowed area 210 at which point the leading edge215 of cartridge 11 a abuts the narrowed area 210 and further forwardmotion of the cartridge 11 a is stopped. As may be further seen in FIG.17, as the technician continues to urge the rod 18 and wand 12 forward,the furled bag 50 is pushed past the abutted leading edge 215 ofcartridge 16, out of the port 64 and into the body cavity 70 (not seenin this view) being accessed.

With reference to FIG. 18, the bag 50 is seen unfurled while FIG. 19depicts the bag 50 in the open position and presenting an entry way 58to the interior space 56, used for collection of masses (not seen inthis view).

The method of using the surgical device 11 shown in FIGS. 14-25 includesproviding a handpiece 11 b having a snap fitting attachment member,providing a cartridge 11 a having a preloaded, furled bag 50 and a snapfitting attachment member, snap fitting the cartridge 11 a to thehandpiece 11 b in snap fit engagement, directing the device 11 into abody cavity 70, preferably through a laparoscopic port or sleeve 64, sothat the handle portion 24 is accessible by the surgeon, pushing ahandle portion 24 forward, preferably using a thumb grip 44 to open abag 50, and directing a mass 52 through the entry way 58 and into theinterior space 56 of the bag 50.

The above-described embodiments of this invention are merely descriptiveof its principles and are not to be limited. The scope of this inventioninstead shall be determined from the scope of the following claims,including their equivalents.

In describing the embodiments disclosed herein the inventor has alsodescribed all the various alternative structures which are equivalent toone or more elements or limitations of the claimed invention. Beyondwhat is expressly described herein the inventor has no prior knowledgeof any other structures which are equivalent to the invention claimed.Accordingly, the determination of structures, methods, or compositionsof matter which are equivalent to the claimed invention shall not belimited to only the alternative structures identified herein, but shallinclude other structures whether or not they are presently known orunknown.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical device comprising: an elongated wandhaving a front end and a back end; an elongated rod including a handleportion lying generally parallel to said back end of said wand, and aflexible portion having a pivot end and a second end, said second endconnected to said handle portion; a disengaging connector coupling saidfront end of said elongated wand to said pivot end of said flexibleportion; a means of slidably connecting said handle portion to said backend of said wand; a bag coupled to said front end and said flexibleportion; said means of slidably connecting said handle portion to saidback end of said wand comprising a tubular collar surrounding andslidably receiving said wand and said rod, said collar being movablefrom a first position to a second position relative to said wand, theleading edge of said collar being arranged to be located at a transitionpoint for the second end of said flexible portion; and wherein said wandand said rod are each comprised of two individual coaxial sections, eachsection being arranged for disengagable, end-to-end attachment with oneanother; and means for detachably securing the respective sections ofsaid wand and said rod in end-to-end relationship.
 2. The surgicaldevice of claim 1, wherein the detachable securing means comprisesindividual ball and socket coupling attachment members arranged forseparable attachment relative to one another.